Thomas Francis Fountaine
Thomas Francis Fountaine
Epitaph
In Remembrance Of
THOMAS FRANCIS FOUNTAINE
Born Nov 3rd 1842
Died Oct 18th 1938
Description
Known as the Father Of Woodville.
Born in Buckinghamshire, he arrived in New Zealand in 1871 and worked for some time in Hawke's Bay, on one of the stations of Hon J. D. Ormond.
He was a pioneer settler leaving a lasting mark on Tararua as a road builder, postmaster, store owner and community leader. In 1874, along with J.H. Monteith, they took over the contract for road formation and bridges between Woodville and the Manawatu River. He acquired land, opened the first store and was the first Road Board chairman, a postmaster and a church warden.
He purchased Otawhao Farm at Kumeroa in 1888. The homestead built in 1898 is listed as a Historical Place.
In 1896 he donated two acres in the centre of Woodville for a park, which became Fountaine Square.
When he died with no wife or children, he left his farm at Otawhao near Kumeroa, to his cousin Charles Douglas Fountaine, who took over managing the property in 1927.